Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling completed his sparring task at the Songshan Sect and explored its treasury and library, mastering several secret techniques. After demonstrating their power, he left the chapter considering whether he could eventually fuse two opposing palm arts with the Great Yin-Yang Hand Seal.

• Ding Ling defeated Deng Bagong in a spar, completing Task 1, then ordered him to arrange cleanup and take him to the Songshan Sect's treasury and library.
• Ding Ling mastered the Frozen Divine Palm and tested its chilling power, deciding to give the technique to Consort Yu because she cultivated the Frozen Art.
• Ding Ling mastered the Great Songyang Divine Palm and tried to fuse it with the Frozen Divine Palm and the Great Yin-Yang Hand Seal, but concluded he needed to become stronger first.
• Ding Ling mastered the Surprise Goose Swordplay and performed its graceful, powerful movements before continuing through the library's secret manuals.

Ding Ling finished mastering the secret manuals, refined his control over True Force, and prepared to leave for Mount Hua to seek Feng Qingyang and learn the Nine Swords of Dugu. He planned to train his companions before his promised duel with Bai Wushuang at the Summit of Mount Hua.

• Ding Ling mastered more than three hundred secret manuals, reached six points of True Force, and resolved to deepen his martial foundation.
• Ding Ling gave Lin Pingzhi manuals to distribute among Consort Yu, Qu Feiyan, Huang Zhonggong, and the others, then stored the finest medicines and tonic wines in his Storage Bag.
• Ding Ling learned that Feng Qingyang had returned to Mount Hua and established seven trials at Thinking Cliff for candidates seeking the Nine Swords of Dugu.
• Ding Ling told Qu Feiyan that he was going to Mount Hua to learn the Nine Swords of Dugu and would not leave his companions behind.
• Ding Ling said he still intended to battle Bai Wushuang at the Summit of Mount Hua for the Tai Chi Classics.

Ding Ling met Shaolin abbot Fang Zheng, who tried to persuade him to withdraw from the martial world and then threatened him when he refused. Qu Feiyan condemned Fang Zheng’s hypocrisy and challenged Shaolin’s ties to Songshan Sect, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Deng Bagong told Ding Ling that Shaolin monks had gathered outside Songshan Sect’s main gate, and Ding Ling went to meet them.
• Abbot Fang Zheng praised Ding Ling’s reputation and invited him to stay at Shaolin Temple, worship Buddha, and abandon the martial world.
• Ding Ling refused the invitation and said he wanted to settle the matter there and part ways.
• Qu Feiyan accused Fang Zheng of wanting to imprison Ding Ling under the pretense of righteousness.
• Fang Zheng condemned Qu Feiyan as a demonic-cult influence, blamed Ding Ling for destroying Songshan Sect, and warned that the martial world would leave him no place.
• Qu Feiyan challenged Fang Zheng’s claim that Songshan Sect was righteous and accused Shaolin of knowing about its misdeeds.

Ding Ling rejected Abbot Fang Zheng’s offer and challenged Shaolin Temple, then fought its Eighteen Arhat Formation with the Leigong Wengjin Hammer. The clash grew fierce, but dust and weapon shadows obscured its outcome.

• Qu Feiyan listed the Songshan Sect’s atrocities, but Abbot Fang Zheng maintained that Ding Ling had nearly destroyed the sect and urged him to stay at Shaolin Temple.
• Ding Ling refused to submit and challenged Abbot Fang Zheng to step forward if Shaolin wanted to fight.
• Abbot Fang Zheng ordered the Eighteen Arhats to form their formation and challenge Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling charged with the Leigong Wengjin Hammer and unleashed the Nine Heavens Thunder Hammer Technique.
• The Eighteen Arhats combined their distinct staff techniques against Ding Ling, and their clash disappeared behind flying weapon shadows and dust.

Ding Ling defeated Shaolin Temple’s Eighteen Arhats, then put down his divine hammer and challenged Abbot Fang Zheng to fight with bare hands. Their palm techniques clashed fiercely, but Fang Zheng was sent flying, leaving the monks stunned.

• Ding Ling used the Leigong Wengjin Hammer to defeat the Eighteen Arhats, leaving many dead or severely injured.
• Abbot Fang Zheng accused Ding Ling of unfairly using a divine weapon, and Ding Ling put it aside and agreed to fight bare-handed.
• Fang Zheng told the Shaolin monks not to avenge him if he died, then urged Ding Ling to abandon his supposed demonic path.
• Ding Ling rejected Fang Zheng’s offer to bring him into Shaolin Temple and invited him to fight.
• Fang Zheng attacked with the Muscle Change Classic, and Ding Ling countered with the Great Songyang Divine Palm.
• Their palm strikes shook the battlefield until Fang Zheng was blasted more than a dozen yards away.

Ding Ling defeated Abbot Fang Zheng and the Shaolin monks, then set off for Mount Hua with his companions. As he traveled, he received achievement notices and saw his progress toward becoming the World's Finest increase.

• Ding Ling injured Abbot Fang Zheng, and Qu Feiyan defended him against the Shaolin monks’ accusations.
• Ding Ling knocked Kong Jian unconscious and reclaimed the Leigong Wengjin Hammer before the Shaolin monks withdrew with Fang Zheng.
• Ding Ling and his group continued toward Mount Hua, while Qu Feiyan slipped away into the woods and asked Lin Pingzhi to tell Ding Ling she was relieving herself.
• Ding Ling received achievement notices for intimidating the Eighteen Arhats and Abbot Fang Zheng, and his progress defeating experts from different planes rose to 39/20.
• Ding Ling saw his World's Finest progress reach 35% and resolved to defeat Invincible East and Feng Qingyang, learn the Nine Swords of Dugu, and complete the Path of Glory.

Qu Feiyan disguised herself as a novice monk, secretly obtained Fang Zheng’s oral transmission of the Muscle Change Classic, and stole martial arts manuals from Shaolin Temple. After she reunited with Ding Ling, he began studying the manuals and mastered the Thousand Hands Buddha Palm.

• Qu Feiyan returned to Ding Ling disguised as a novice monk and revealed that she had found what he needed.
• Qu Feiyan explained how she had entered Shaolin Temple, memorized Fang Zheng’s recitation of the Muscle Change Classic, and escaped with manuals from the Scripture Library.
• Ding Ling warned Qu Feiyan not to take such dangerous risks again, and she promised to be careful.
• Ding Ling read the Thousand Hands Buddha Palm manual and immediately raised the technique to max level.

Ding Ling mastered more than thirty Shaolin martial arts and learned the Muscle Change Classic from Qu Feiyan. When Shaolin monks confronted him as he left, he killed those who blocked his way and realized his Lion's Roar had originated at Shaolin Temple.

• Ding Ling read more than thirty Shaolin manuals and instantly mastered their techniques, including several of Shaolin's Seventy-Two Supreme Arts.
• Qu Feiyan recited the Muscle Change Classic, and Ding Ling mastered it, gaining a gentle energy that healed and strengthened his meridians without interfering with Pure Yang Skill.
• Ding Ling thanked Qu Feiyan, then mounted his horse with her, Consort Yu, Huang Zhonggong, and the others to leave.
• Shaolin monks stopped Ding Ling and demanded to know whether he had taken their supreme arts; Ding Ling's shout ruptured the questioner's eardrums.
• The monks identified Ding Ling's shout as Buddhist Lion's Roar, and Ding Ling drew his sword and killed those blocking the path.
• Ding Ling concluded that the Lion's Roar he had obtained from Gao Kexin of the Thirteen Taibao of Songshan had come from Shaolin Temple.

Ding Ling drove back Shaolin Temple’s monks with a single Lion’s Roar after demanding the Marrow Cleansing Classic in exchange for Qu Feiyan’s bag. The eminent monk let him pass and resolved to urge Shaolin Temple to end its pursuit of Ding Ling.

• A Shaolin eminent monk confronted Ding Ling and asked him to return the bag Qu Feiyan had delivered.
• Ding Ling offered to return the bag in exchange for Shaolin Temple’s Marrow Cleansing Classic, then threatened to destroy the temple if its monks obstructed him again.
• Ding Ling unleashed the Lion’s Roar, injuring one monk and forcing the eminent monk and the others to retreat.
• The eminent monk apologized, promised Shaolin’s monks would avoid Ding Ling, and let him ride away with his companions.
• As he returned to Shaolin Temple, the eminent monk wondered how Ding Ling had mastered the Lion’s Roar so quickly and decided to urge the temple to cancel its pursuit and capture order.

Shaolin Temple’s eminent monks abandoned their plan to hunt Ding Ling after recognizing his overwhelming strength, and news of his deeds spread throughout the martial world. Ding Ling reached Mount Hua, where he was greeted by Lao De Nuo.

• Shaolin Temple’s eminent monks recalled their order to surround Ding Ling and shut the mountain gates to avoid provoking him.
• Stories of Ding Ling’s victories spread among Natives and players, making him famous across the martial world.
• At an inn near Mount Hua, Qu Feiyan and Ding Ling listened as a storyteller recounted Ding Ling’s exploits, and a player revealed Ding Ling’s identity.
• The storyteller bowed to Ding Ling, who praised his performance before leaving for Mount Hua with Qu Feiyan and the others.
• Ding Ling arrived at Mount Hua and recognized Lao De Nuo, who received him.

Ding Ling arrived at the Mount Hua Sect and told Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze that he had come to challenge Feng Qingyang’s Seven Trials on Si Guo Cliff. Yue Buqun agreed to take him there, privately troubled by Feng Qingyang’s growing prominence and Ding Ling’s visit.

• Lao De Nuo and Yue Lingshan welcomed Ding Ling and his companions to Mount Hua, while Yue Lingshan kept her distance because Linghu Chong had warned her about Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling waited in the main hall and sampled the Mount Hua Sect’s tea as Yue Lingshan nervously served him and then left.
• Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze arrived, greeted Ding Ling, and exchanged polite words with him.
• Ding Ling explained that he had come to challenge Feng Qingyang’s Seven Trials on Si Guo Cliff.
• Yue Buqun offered to lead Ding Ling to Si Guo Cliff and invited him to return afterward as a guest.

Ding Ling visited Mount Hua’s seven trials to meet Feng Qingyang and learn the Nine Swords of Dugu. He mastered every incomplete set of sword moves in moments, leaving Yue Buqun and the others to wonder what he would do next.

• Yue Buqun explained that Ding Ling had to pass seven trials to meet Feng Qingyang, and Yue Lingshan said Linghu Chong had been the only person to complete them before.
• Cong Buqi challenged the players’ claims that Ding Ling could pass quickly, insisting he knew none of Mount Hua’s swordplay.
• Ding Ling glanced over the incomplete moves at all seven trials and mastered each one in moments.
• Yue Buqun and the others watched Ding Ling finish the trials and suspected he had come only to see how difficult they were.

Ding Ling demonstrated that he had mastered the sword moves from Feng Qingyang’s first four trials, convincing Feng Qingyang that he was a peerless sword genius. Feng Qingyang accepted his claims and asked him to demonstrate the remaining moves.

• Ding Ling announced that he had passed Feng Qingyang’s Seven Trials and respectfully called for him to appear.
• Feng Qingyang arrived and questioned whether Ding Ling had truly passed the trials so quickly.
• Ding Ling demonstrated the first three trials’ sword moves, and Feng Qingyang declared them passed.
• Ding Ling displayed the 108 Form Whirlwind Sword from the fourth trial, earning Feng Qingyang’s praise and approval.
• Feng Qingyang asked Ding Ling to continue demonstrating the remaining sword moves.

Ding Ling swiftly passed Feng Qingyang’s Seven Trials and earned the chance to inherit Nine Swords of Dugu. In the mountain cave, Feng Qingyang began teaching him the sword art’s formula and techniques.

• Ding Ling demonstrated three incomplete moves from Nine Swords of Dugu, impressing Feng Qingyang with his mastery.
• Feng Qingyang declared Ding Ling had passed the trial and led him into a mountain cave to pass on Nine Swords of Dugu.
• Feng Buping, Cong Buqi, Cheng Buyou, Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, and the others were stunned by Ding Ling’s achievement, while Qu Feiyan and his companions felt proud.
• Feng Qingyang praised Ding Ling’s understanding of swordsmanship and said he was ready to learn Nine Swords of Dugu.
• After Feng Qingyang recited the formula, Ding Ling asked him to teach the entire art at once, and Feng Qingyang agreed to explain and demonstrate its nine forms.

Feng Qingyang taught Ding Ling the Nine Swords of Dugu, which Ding Ling instantly mastered and used to defeat Feng Qingyang in a swordsmanship contest. Ding Ling then learned the Five Mountains Sword Sects’ sword arts, leaving Feng Qingyang amazed.

• Feng Qingyang demonstrated and explained the nine formulas of the Nine Swords of Dugu to Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling’s Library recorded the Nine Swords of Dugu at maximum level, and its sword intent awakened within him.
• Feng Qingyang challenged Ding Ling, but conceded after Ding Ling revealed mastery of the flawless Instinctive Realm.
• Feng Qingyang praised Ding Ling and pointed him toward the Five Mountains Sword Sects’ sword arts hidden in the cavern.
• Ding Ling learned the Five Mountains Sword Sects’ sword arts to their maximum levels and performed them for Feng Qingyang.

Feng Qingyang taught Ding Ling several Sword Sect techniques and declared him the true inheritor of the Nine Swords of Dugu, earning Ding Ling recognition from Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze. Feng Buping and his companions challenged the decision, and Cheng Buyou began a swordsmanship match with Ding Ling to prove his worth.

• Feng Qingyang taught Ding Ling several Sword Sect sword techniques and watched him master them with astonishing speed.
• Ding Ling received Feng Qingyang's high-recognition medal, and his quest progress increased as his reputation spread.
• Feng Qingyang praised Ding Ling as the true inheritor of the Nine Swords of Dugu, prompting Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze to recognize him.
• Feng Buping objected that Ding Ling had learned the Nine Swords of Dugu while Sword Sect descendants had not.
• Feng Qingyang said he would teach Feng Buping's group if they could defeat Ding Ling in sword techniques alone, and Cheng Buyou stepped forward to challenge him.
• Ding Ling accepted Cheng Buyou's challenge, and Cheng Buyou opened with the Mount Hua Sect's Deadly Triple Swordplay.

Ding Ling effortlessly defeated Cheng Buyou, Cong Buqi, and Feng Buping, proving his swordsmanship surpassed the Sword Sect trio’s. Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze admitted they could not withstand him, while Yue Lingshan was left shaken by the revelation.

• Ding Ling countered Cheng Buyou’s Deadly Triple Swordplay and spared him after pressing his sword to Cheng Buyou’s neck.
• Ding Ling defeated Cong Buqi in one exchange, thwarting his attempted ambush and earning another Achievement Medal.
• Ding Ling broke Feng Buping’s Whirlwind Fast Sword, bringing his quest progress to 44.
• Feng Qingyang told the three Sword Sect men to master swordsmanship beyond forms before he would consider teaching them the Nine Swords of Dugu.
• Ning Zhongze and Yue Buqun admitted Ding Ling could defeat them with ease, leaving Yue Lingshan shocked and Qu Feiyan proud.

Ding Ling stayed on Mount Hua to prepare for his coming battle with Invincible East while training Qu Feiyan and sparring with the Huashan Sect. Ren Yingying and Ren Woxing arrived to watch the fight, and Ding Ling learned that Invincible East was expected to reach Mount Hua soon.

• Ding Ling’s fame spread after Feng Qingyang admitted he was inferior, and Ding Ling settled at Si Guo Cliff to prepare for the battle.
• Yue Lingshan grew increasingly admiring of Ding Ling as she watched him train and spar with her parents, while Qu Feiyan worried she might monopolize his attention.
• Ding Ling defeated Yue Buqun and his wife in sparring and devoted himself to guiding Qu Feiyan’s cultivation.
• Ren Yingying, Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian, and their companions arrived, and Ren Woxing promised not to harm Ding Ling’s friends.
• Ren Woxing told Ding Ling that Invincible East would leave Si Guo Cliff for Mount Hua and fight him at the summit in two days.
• Ding Ling warned Ren Woxing not to cause trouble on Mount Hua, and Yue Buqun reacted uneasily when he saw the visitors.

Ren Yingying grew increasingly attached to Ding Ling while he focused on training Qu Feiyan and preparing to leave the world. Zhang He arrived at Mount Hua and reunited with Ding Ling, bringing news that Diao Chan and the others were progressing quickly and might ascend within a few years.

• Ren Woxing exchanged polite words with Yue Buqun, then left Mount Hua with Xiang Wentian while Ren Yingying stayed beside Ding Ling.
• Qu Feiyan sought Ding Ling's guidance, and Ren Yingying grew envious as her feelings for him deepened.
• Ding Ling resolved to train Qu Feiyan to First-Class Expert level before leaving, though he doubted he could fully fulfill his promise to Qu Yang.
• Zhang He arrived at Si Guo Cliff and joyfully reunited with Ding Ling, explaining how he had reached the Ultra-First-Rate level and learned Ding Ling's whereabouts.
• Zhang He told Ding Ling that Diao Chan and the others were advancing rapidly and might ascend within the next few years.

Ding Ling welcomed Zhang He and Taishi Ci to Mount Hua and taught them the Pure Yang Skill. As heroes from several worlds gathered to watch the coming battle, Cheng Yaojin appeared and vanished into the mountains, leaving Ding Ling wary of possible enemies.

• Ding Ling taught Zhang He the Pure Yang Skill, and Zhang He resolved to follow him and protect Qu Feiyan and the others.
• Cheng Yaojin appeared near Mount Hua, ignored the players who called to him, and disappeared into the forest; Ding Ling warned Zhang He to watch for powerful generals from the Sui and Tang World.
• Yue Buqun opened Mount Hua's gates to the growing crowd of heroes, who included figures from the Three Kingdoms World, the Sui-Tang World, and the Late Qin Era.
• Taishi Ci arrived, paid his respects to Ding Ling, and joined his camp.
• Ding Ling taught Taishi Ci the Pure Yang Skill and asked him, like Zhang He, to protect Qu Feiyan and the others.